Heavenly Demon Divine Saint - Chapter 75

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 75
“It’s been quite some time since we last met when you regained consciousness. Your spiritual essence has grown remarkably clearer.”
Cheon So-hyun answered with a faint smile.
“Fortune smiled upon me—I’ve consumed various elixirs and tonics, and through my own efforts, I’ve reached a presentable state.”
“I see.”
Sa Ma-hyuk’s eyes deepened with contemplation.
‘He has grown considerably in this time.’
The Third Prince’s condition was markedly different from before.
The turbulent qi that had once destabilized his mind and body now flowed in harmonious balance, and his refined spiritual energy—clear as a pristine lake—testified to the progress he had made.
“It seems you’ve endured quite a demanding period. I hope my arrival hasn’t interrupted anything important?”
“How could it? We were merely engaged in a war of words trying to break this stubborn one’s resolve. Nothing of consequence.”
A faint smile graced Sa Ma-hyuk’s face.
“That must have been quite the challenge.”
“I’ve surrendered completely. It would be easier if he’d just accept things gracefully, but his stubbornness is harder than steel wire.”
Sa Ma-ryang gestured dismissively toward the other side.
“Please, sit over here. I’ll prepare some tea.”
“Very well.”
Even as light conversation flowed between them, Sa Ma-ryang’s mind remained turbulent.
‘What could he possibly want?’
The Chief Military Commander had become the busiest figure in the Sect recently, juggling preparations for the Great Sect Tournament and the investigations by the Law Enforcement Hall. There was no way he’d spare time merely for pleasantries.
Just as Sa Ma-ryang poured tea and offered a cup, Cheon So-hyun suddenly asked.
“But what brings you here?”
Despite the blunt question, Sa Ma-hyuk smiled gently.
“No matter how busy I am, I cannot neglect an audience with the Young Master. I’ve heard you’ve weathered countless incidents and orchestrated several of your own. I was curious to see what changes have taken place.”
“….”
“I also heard you’ve been organizing a force called Ma Gun. Is that correct?”
“Ahem. Yes, that’s right.”
Hearing the name Ma Gun from Sa Ma-hyuk’s lips felt strange. It was something I’d blurted out on a whim, yet it had become an official designation and spread this far.
“I’m establishing our foundation centered around Baek Myun Valley. We’re still in the early stages, so there’s much we lack. The path ahead is clear, but the Baekryeon Demon Sect has agreed to lend their support, which has eased my burden considerably.”
“The Baekryeon Demon Sect, you say?”
“Yes. I proposed a transaction, and they accepted readily.”
Sa Ma-hyuk silently took a sip of tea.
The fact that the Baekryeon Demon Sect—one of the four pillars of the Divine Sect—had stepped forward to aid the Third Prince was certainly unexpected.
Yet it was not incomprehensible.
He had heard concerns within the family that the Fifth Prince’s youth and inexperience made an early expansion into the Central Plains premature.
If one exploited that weakness, securing cooperation would not be impossible.
What was truly surprising was the Third Prince’s approach.
“You’ve stirred up another wave before the previous one has even settled.”
Sa Ma-hyuk’s voice grew lower as he set down his teacup.
“Certainly, it demonstrates remarkable capability, but this hardly seems like a matter you’d report directly to me, does it?”
It meant drawing closer to the path of defying the Great Sect—a statement that could only sound displeasing to the Chief Military Commander.
Cheon So-hyun answered quietly, sensing the question in Sa Ma-hyuk’s gaze.
“Well, wouldn’t the Military Council’s intelligence network uncover it eventually anyway?”
“….”
“You’re far too occupied for me to relay this through subordinates, so I thought it better to speak directly. And since we’re on the subject, let me add this: to me, you’re neither someone I need to persuade nor someone whose favor I must curry. So there’s no need to hide anything.”
Sa Ma-hyuk’s lips curved upward faintly.
“And why is that?”
“You’ve heard honeyed words until your ears ached—they’d only sicken you. Besides, your position isn’t one where you should sacrifice everything for the Sect, is it?”
Unable to refute the answer, Sa Ma-hyuk’s eyes deepened further.
‘How inscrutable.’
A manner of speech that concealed dark depths beneath a surface so clear it seemed transparent—like facing a seasoned master of Jianghu.
“Has the Baekryeon Demon Sect decided to adopt a neutral stance?”
“….”
“It appears so. Concealing intent while securing practical advantage would certainly be rational… This must be quite troubling for you.”
No matter how enticing the proposal, cooperating with the Third Prince would shake the very foundation of what had been painstakingly built.
To aid those who defied the Great Sect, for a family that possessed the Fifth Prince to support another heir—such actions would inevitably invite discord from all quarters.
‘Yet they chose neutrality… So the Third Prince truly is the objective.’
In other words, merely a temporary alliance of convenience.
The Third Prince had deliberately mentioned the Baekryeon Demon Sect to convey this information as swiftly as possible.
Should the Military Council make contact to verify the truth, it would impose constraints on their actions in some form.
The troubling part was that the Third Prince had foreseen even that much and made his move accordingly.
‘Had I not been trapped in such vain delusions… Tsk.’
Sa Ma-hyuk shook his head and spoke with gravity.
“This may seem like an abrupt statement, but I have not viewed the Young Master’s actions favorably until now. Even if you haven’t crossed the line immediately, I couldn’t help but remain vigilant, uncertain what variables might arise.”
“Yes, naturally you would have felt that way.”
All the strategists belonging to the Military Council were pouring their schemes into service of the Great Sect. To delay the Great Sect would render all those efforts meaningless, so discontent was inevitable.
But.
“Yet it sounds as though you feel differently now. Am I right?”
After a brief silence, Sa Ma-hyuk spoke. As his ashen eyes gleamed coldly, even the air around them seemed to freeze.
“Stop here.”
“…Stop? What do you mean? Did you not promise to hear my counterargument?”
Cheon So-hyun’s brow furrowed.
Though he hadn’t observed the Chief Military Commander for long, the man he’d come to understand was one who grasped the weight of words. He’d trusted that promise and pressed forward until now—so why had his words suddenly changed?
Because it no longer seemed impossible?
For Cheon So-hyun, whose plan had been to strengthen the opposing forces and seek justification from the Central Plains to thrust upon him, this was nothing short of bewildering.
Sa Ma-hyuk shook his head.
“My position has remained unchanged since our meeting. As you said, if it leads to the Sect’s peace, then it is right to deliberate and consider anything.”
“Then why tell me to stop?”
“Because I’ve determined that I can no longer stand idle.”
Faced with eyes sharp as a honed blade, Cheon So-hyun felt tension grip him without his realizing it.
“Throughout all the stratagems the Military Council has devised for the Great Sect, there is not a single one I would dare call flawless. Gaps exist, and there are seams that require reinforcement. But do you know why we deliberately left those seams unpatched?”
“Hmm, because variables are bound to emerge?”
“Precisely. In a war against the Realm itself, variables will inevitably arise. The more airtight a plan, the harder it becomes to adapt with flexibility. So we intentionally left room for contingency. The timing of our advance was one such consideration.”
As Cheon So-hyun’s brow furrowed at the frustrating direction of the conversation, Sa Ma-ryang interjected with a stern expression.
“Are you perhaps referring to what transpired at the Cult Leader’s Hall?”
“Exactly. Rarely does the Cult Leader himself send a personal letter. It means the variable carries significant weight.”
“…So the Great Sect might be accelerated.”
“Wouldn’t that be more natural given the current flow of events?”
Cheon So-hyun blinked.
‘What are they going on about?’
What were these Sa Ma clan members prattling about between themselves?
I was running myself ragged trying to prevent the advance into the Central Plains, yet why would the timing accelerate instead of delay?
Even Sa Ma-ryang maintained his silence as if he understood something.
Unable to contain himself any longer, Cheon So-hyun finally asked.
“What do you mean? The Great Sect accelerating?”
“It appears… the Chief Military Commander is concerned about the possibility of Young Master encountering misfortune in the Central Plains.”
“Me?”
“It may be merely a precaution, but as mentioned before, the disciples’ resentment toward the Central Plains has reached its peak due to the sorcery of draining their vital essence. Should something befall Young Master amidst that fervor….”
Sa Ma-hyuk opened his mouth to complete what Sa Ma-ryang had left unsaid.
“A holy war would commence immediately.”
If the timing were merely delayed, we could manage it sufficiently. We had built flexibility into the Great Sect and accepted the Third Prince’s objections for precisely this reason.
But if it were the opposite—if events accelerated—the damage would become uncontrollable and impossible to ignore.
Cheon So-hyun regarded him with a hardened expression.
From the signs, it seemed the letter from the Cult Leader contained nothing but matters concerning my expulsion from the Sect.
Though that was not particularly troublesome given its potential for discord, what was peculiar was that the Chief Military Commander was raising concerns about a matter the Cult Leader had already approved.
“Are you then saying I should abandon the expulsion?”
“There is nothing more impious than interfering with the Cult Leader’s promise. However, you must reflect deeply on its purpose. Is it truly to witness and study the martial arts of the Central Plains?”
His gaze grew progressively sharper.
“Or are you taking this step to find justification for dissent? Should that step lead to harm befalling the Sect….”
Flash!
Sa Ma-hyuk’s eyes gleamed with piercing intensity.
“Even the Third Prince would find the price unbearable.”
After Sa Ma-hyuk departed, Sa Ma-ryang asked carefully.
“Young Master, as you have heard, stepping into the Central Plains itself could invite danger. It would be more prudent to focus on building our strength as we are now, or if you must go, to do so without overextending yourself in search of justification. What are your thoughts?”
Cheon So-hyun let out a derisive laugh.
“Are you asking because you don’t know? Of course I’m going out to find it. Would I abandon making kimchi out of fear of maggots? Have you grown timid in the meantime?”
At his resolute response, Sa Ma-ryang smiled softly. It was the answer he had hoped for.
Even if it were a chasm of roiling lava, one could not find a breakthrough without leaping into it—and that was precisely what the Great Sect they sought to accomplish demanded.
“Then…would it be acceptable if I offered a suggestion?”
* * *
Shwiiiiik!
The blade carved through the air with a heavy, resonant sound.
It was a brisk yet razor-sharp technique. Kang Hyun exhaled roughly as he wielded his twin blades.
“Damn it!”
Frustrated by the insufficient power, he cursed under his breath.
‘This won’t do. I died again. There’s no way I can block at this level.’
He was immersed in training, replaying the battle etched into his mind.
It was a method of sparring against an imaginary opponent, one he’d sculpted from recalling, interpreting, and visualizing the martial techniques of that moment.
Truly, it was a futile form of training, yet Kang Hyun’s resolve was unwavering.
“Again!”
-How repulsive.
Standing directly before him.
Yu Baek, the Thousand-Faced Executioner, emanated sinister killing intent as he stared down at me.
His gaze mingled murderous rage with contempt. The ferocious demonic energy rippling from him was identical to how he’d appeared in life.
Kang Hyun had perfectly reconstructed the Yu Baek he remembered from that time. The moment an immense burden descended upon the Baihui Acupoint at the crown of his head.
Eight hidden blades sliced through the void, encircling him.
As if confronting death itself, Kang Hyun’s complexion drained to white.
‘I have to find a way. I can’t remain a burden forever.’
Even if the family’s affairs were treated as trivial, the infamy itself had not vanished.
The price would surely return in some form.
‘I can’t overwhelm them with the crushing force the Third Prince uses. Moving like a phantom with the Ilhyung Huanwi or whatever is impossible either. To find a way, ultimately….’
Uuuuung!
The yin energy of the Hundred Snow Endless Flow enveloped my entire body. As the cold permeated my mind and suppressed the fever, finally the most suitable movement came to me.
It was the most superior body technique among the movements I’d observed at the Tuyong Tournament.
‘Will it work….’
Doubt and fear flickered, but without attempting it, I couldn’t take a single step forward.
Crack.
Kang Hyun clenched his fists tightly.
My Master said that the Young Master visiting the Baekryeon Demon Sect alone—one of the Four Great Demon Masters—was like walking on a blade’s edge.
While he wouldn’t resort to hasty measures, there was a high likelihood he’d view it unfavorably, so danger would lurk with every step.
Yet what was the reason the Young Master stepped forward without hesitation?
It must surely be an iron resolve to confront any obstacle head-on and carve a path through.
‘That’s right. I have to do this.’
Thud!
In an instant, Kang Hyun’s form vanished as he took a single step.
And.
“Cough, cough!”
He appeared in an unexpected location, lost his balance, and tumbled across the ground.
Only when he struck a boulder did he stop, his appearance now utterly pathetic.
‘It worked!’
My dirt-smudged face bore a wide grin.
I had finally succeeded in embodying my brother’s martial form!
“This is absurd.”
Suddenly, a deep voice reverberated through the night air. It struck Kang Hyun’s ears with crystalline clarity, testament to overwhelming internal mastery.
“…!”
Kang Hyun shot to his feet at the sight of the Warrior approaching with the moonlight at his back.
Why had he appeared here so suddenly? Had he witnessed everything? From when exactly?
Though I had deliberately chosen a location far from my quarters, the unexpected arrival of this figure sent my mind into chaos.
“Sir, has your conversation concluded? What brings you to this place….”
“Stealing another’s footsteps—you’ve lost your mind.”
Do Je regarded him with eyes brimming with murderous intent.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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